Death in the Night

March 7

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 208-211, 465, 466, 524-529, 595-597, 635, 636, 775, 776, 962, 963, 2020, 2021; Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 364-380, 437, 438, 547-551, 559-565, 809-817; The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 539-543. "The love of money in the heart of Judas was growing with the exercise of his shrewd abilities. His practical financiering ability, if exercised and enlightened and moulded by the Holy Spirit, would have been of great service to the little church, and by the sanctification of his spirit he would have had a clear insight, a correct discernment to appreciate heavenly things. But worldly policy plans were constantly cherished by Judas. There was no outbreaking sin on his part, but his sharp scheming, the selfish, parsimonious spirit that took possession of him, finally led him to sell his Lord for a small sum of money."—Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1101. "Judas was with Christ through the entire period of the Saviour's public ministry. He had all that Christ could give him. . . . Had he sought to be a blessing, instead of a questioning, criticizing, selfish man, the Lord would have used him to advance His kingdom. But Judas was a speculator. He thought that he could manage the finances of the church, and by his sharpness in business get gain. He was divided in heart. He loved the praise of the world. He refused to give up the world for Christ. He never committed his eternal interests to Christ. . . . Judas was a religious fraud."—Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1101, 1102.

Discussion Questions:

If disciples are followers, are those who follow their own ideas and programs still disciples? Dwell on that question and your answer. What other models of discipleship under pressure can you think of, and what lessons can we learn from them? While we can find in Peter someone who jumped ahead too fast, only to stumble and fall, what are the dangers of being too cautious? In what ways can we go too far the other way? Think about this and bring some thoughts to class. As you do, think about your local church as a whole. Is your church too ready to jump ahead of the Lord, or does it tend to be too timid to follow the leading of the Lord? What can you do, as a class, to help your church strike the right balance?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Death in the Night by JAMES APPEL A cool east wind chilled my tired body. Sarah and I prayed then crawled into bed to sleep. The chirping of thousands of African insects lulled me to sleep. A soft tap, tapping on the door pulled me awake. "Doctor?" David's voice stirred my consciousness. "Yes," I replied groggily. "One of the patients has died. The family has arrived with their ox cart to take the body to their village for burial. But I can't open the combination lock on the gate." I became aware of the wails and shrieks of mourning as I pulled aside the mosquito net and grabbed my flashlight. "I'm coming," I mumbled as I searched for my clothes. I pushed open the metal door, slipped on my flip flops, and followed David toward the hospital. "Aaaahh! Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh! Aye yi yi yi yi yi yi!" The nightmarish sounds wafted across the campus as we approached the gate. I dialed the combination and tugged the lock open. David opened the gate, and two shadowy forms slipped silently past us. Outside a group of women, one with a baby strapped to her back, danced the dance of death, their arms flailing the air. Others sat in a tight bunch accompanying the dancers with chants, wails, and moans of death. A man beat his breast as an agonizing yell tore from his throat. Dogs barked at the nighttime disturbance. Anger, pity, and sorrow welled up within me. These same people had let their relative lie sick for a week before bringing him to the hospital. They couldn't afford to pay $20 for his treatment; yet now they will spend hundreds of dollars to feed relatives and friends who will come for his funeral. People will gather and "weep" to prove their sorrow and to be sure that his spirit doesn't come back to haunt them. I am sick of the fear of death, the spirits, and the hauntings that these people endure. It breaks my heart to see the ignorance that holds them captive. I know the One who has promised to "free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (Heb. 2:15). But fighting against so much superstition and fear and tradition seems so overwhelming. The two men reappear pulling the ox cart past us. We replace the lock, then I walk back home as the sounds of the funeral procession fade into the dark African night. "Lord Jesus," I pray, "what can I do to show them Your way? How can I teach them to trust You with their lives-and their death?" JAMES APPEL is a missionary doctor serving Bere. Chad.
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